Letters to the Editor 5-30-13

Thank you, SPD
Editor: Brook Haven School would like to thank the Sebastopol Police Department and all the public safety workers who participated in Public Safety Day at our school. Public safety employees from around the county worked with our local officers, Greg Devore and Dennis Colthurst, to present valuable information to our students. Each of the presentations brought important elements that clearly demonstrate to children that they live in a safe and caring community. As adults, we all know that it is an unpredictable world out there. Their presence on our campus sent a clear message to kids (and adults) that there are resources available to protect and care for all citizens. Thank you again for bring your expertise, your warmth, and your passion to our kids. You are the best!
JT O’Neill
School Counselor
Brook Haven School
Cittaslow questions
Editor: For some, the May 23 letter (“Cittaslow Sebastopol more than a non-profit”) explaining exactly how Cittaslow Sebastopol benefits the City raised more questions than it answered.
Because Cittaslow was entered into the City budget at the May 7 City Council meeting, and because their request for funding is likely to be $20,000, perhaps asking for a few concrete details would not be received unkindly.
Since there are only three Cittaslow certified cities in the U.S. (Fairfax, Sebastopol and Sonoma), one can’t help but wonder how many cities in the U.S. applied for certification and were subsequently denied. One also cannot help but wonder if this is a very exclusive club or one in which no one else is seeking membership. (It’s probably one of those.)
Keeping that in mind, here are just a few questions. Just how does managing that Cittaslow designation “maximize the economic and social benefit” of the City and keep our town “green, local, friendly and artistic?” And what does all that mean? If we become any greener on the spectrum, we will be in the blue band. We are local. We are friendly. Well, okay, some of us aren’t very artistic, but we try.
And what exactly are the Cittaslow priorities mentioned? Is it “using technology wisely” and does that have anything to do with EMF and/or SmartMeters? Is it “protecting the environment” and does that have anything to do with what happened in the “Railroad Forest” and Mayor Kyes wanting to spray herbicides there? Is it “developing community-friendly infrastructures” and does that have anything to do with the sorry state of Ives Park? Would Cittaslow consider spending anything on Ives Park if the City gave them the $20,000? (The City could use a little financial help installing the new ADA connecting ramp at Jewell.) Would that not be in the spirit of “community connectedness and cohesion?”
So, exactly how will that $20,000 be spent and who will make that decision? Is any money going to be sent back to the “mother ship” in Italy? Will the Cittaslow financial books be open for public inspection and will they be able to show a good, concrete return on investment for that $20,000?
John Necker
Sebastopolcitizens.org
Drakes Bay positives
Editor: With respect to Lynn Hamilton’s letter about Drakes Bay Oyster Company and Pt. Reyes Seashore (“Oysters vs. wilderness,” May 10). While I would ordinarily share her opinion about a pure approach towards preserving our national parks, I guess I would say that there is something compelling about saving a small family business that has been part of the Pt. Reyes landscape for decades and that supports people in the community in a manner that is essentially kind and conscientious. When I weigh and balance what little impact these few families and the oyster farm have on the seashore, when I take into account the longevity of their tenure and the fact that there are several other working farms within the park, I would have to disagree with Lynn on this one. The positives of Drakes Bay’s ongoing residency in the park far outweigh the negatives.
There are plenty of hideous, horrendous, agonizing violations to the environment perpetrated by destructive corporate (and government) interests. Let’s work against them and work with the people in our community to survive together.
Paula Downing
Sebastopol
Naming things
Editor: The following letter was sent to members of Sebastopol City Council and Sebastopol resident Geoffrey Skinner:
Dear City Council and Geoffrey,
I read in Sonoma West Times & News that the City Council had decided to name the trailer park property adjacent to the Laguna and the open space area there in honor of the Japanese who lived in our city (“Changes coming to Village Mobile Home Park property,” April 25). I do think that naming something after them is a decent and fitting thing to do. However, that particular area was for centuries a Pomo summer encampment, and it seems, since there is a direct link from the Pomo tribe to that particular area, that it would be decent and fitting to name that park after them.
I’m wondering if the new bridge or a street couldn’t be named in honor of the Japanese who lived and farmed in our community. Perhaps since they were farmers, the new Farmer’s Market (if it materializes) could be named after them.
In addition, the Laguna area would be a good location to place signs such as the county, regional and state parks have with information about the lives of our local Native Americans and how they lived in what is now Sebastopol.
Linda Hauser
Sebastopol